The Sycophantic Relationship between Governor AbdulRahman, Unionists, and the Decadence of Unionism in Nigeria
Our progenitors are rolling in their graves
By Ademola Adefarasin
Nigeria's student unionism boasts a rich legacy dating back to 1925 with the formation of the West African Students' Union (WASU) in London. This early organization, led by a Nigerian, Ladipo Solanke, promoted unity and activism among African students as they fought for improved welfare for all African students in London. Upon the establishment of University College, Ibadan in 1948, the movement gained momentum in Nigeria, culminating in the creation of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1956. History has it that the progenitors of Student Unionism in Nigeria were radical intellectuals and academia; they were purely idealists and firebrands who played a pivotal role in the fight for independence and advocated for better education for all Nigerians.
They suffered all kinds of maltreatment, yet they remained resolute and adamant, insisting they were fighting against the forces of feudalism, parochialism, and tyranny in our political system.
Some of their notable strides include The Ali-Must-Go struggle of 1978, protest against the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) of Ibrahim Babangida-led government of 1989, and other cross-national struggles, including protests against the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
Unfortunately, that golden era of unionism is buried and gone, with the present crop of student bodies no longer living up to expectations in terms of representation among their fellow students as well as making no positive contribution to nation-building.
I experienced the true spirit of a Great Nigerian student yesterday with the satirical display by students of the University of Ilorin appreciating the Kwara state governor for his benevolence in distributing a few pieces of Indomie to them to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and over 40% food inflation as occasioned by the economic policies of the APC-led government.
The video, despite not being disrespectful, showcased the ingenuity of the Nigerian student as their appreciation exposed the callousness of the Kwara government, and the message, despite being intelligently passed, embarrassed the state governor.
I predicted that the state government would enlist the help of the sycophants in Kwara state NANS to issue a statement intended to save the face of the state governor, and true to my expectations, they issued a verbose statement lacking in substance except a few word salads.
I was neither surprised nor disappointed to see them organizing an appreciation rally to thank the governor in furtherance of the press statement. Those who know better understand that these crop of student leaders do not have an iota of critical thinking or vision for their future except the immediate satisfaction of their bellies through mobilization fees and kowtowing to their respective capacity leaders who anointed them into office.
A generation that was sent to school so that they can be better informed to demand better from the government, where their parents failed due to ignorance, is today organizing a thank-you rally to appreciate the governor for sharing food items as if we're in IDP camps.
The biggest disappointment for me is the statement from the student union of my alma mater, University of Ilorin. The student union of an institution touted as one of the apex citadels of learning in the country issued a statement to save the face of the state government at the expense of their students, whom their first duty is to protect their interest.
How do you throw your fellow student under the bus? If the management, in keeping to their nature of high-handedness, decides to act tyrannically, who will rise to the defense of the students, insisting that they did nothing wrong by not groveling before the state governor for giving them 4 pieces of noodles?
What values do the union leaders espouse that the aforementioned students fail to portray? Why disassociate the union from the video when the students at no point spoke on behalf of the union? You have betrayed your first duty to defend the interest of every student by distancing yourself just to grovel before a state governor you referred to as a Father in an official statement, the height of sycophancy!
The progenitors of unionism who braved threats of military regimes in the course of defending the rights of the student populace will roll in their graves at the sight of the sacrilege committed by the student bodies.
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